Iceland Trip January 2009

It is official! I am going to Iceland! Land of fire & ice! My mother and I decided over the weekend to go on this adventure together January 10-15, 2009. I can't even begin to explain how excited I am. I have wanted to visit Iceland for almost a decade. It has been a dream of mine to witness the Northern Lights. Although they aren't guaranteed, January is one of the best times to be in Iceland to try and witness them.

ICELAND FACTS 101:

• In a single day you can walk on a glacier, drive by fjords, see icebergs, lava fields, geysers, waterfalls, swim in outdoor thermal pools, dine at a 5-star restaurant, dance at a (gay) nightclub, check out museums, art galleries, cafes, shop at a huge mall and my favorite (if lucky enough) see The Northern Lights!

• Iceland is the cleanest, safest country in the world. Reports also show that people who live in Iceland are the happiest and healthiest. They don't have a military base or any sort of organized army, like the Navy. As a matter of fact, since it is considered the most peaceful country in the world, Yoko Ono recently built a monument called, The Imagine Peace Tower, in honor of her late husband, John Lennon. The Imagine Peace Tower is a short tower with the words “Imagine Peace” inscribed in many languages from which emanates an immensely bright light pointing upwards which can be seen for many miles. The light is intended so shine each year from 9th October (Lennon’s birthday), to 8th December (the day he was assassinated).

• Iceland is the leading country - in the world - for clean air and the environment.

• There are no highways in Iceland. There is one major road that takes you around the entire country.

• Iceland is roughly the size of Ohio

• Iceland is not covered entirely in ice! Iceland is more green than Greenland and Greenland is more icy that Iceland.

• Iceland is home of the midnight sun. In the summer the sun never sets. It is sunny 24 hours. In the winter Iceland gets, on average, 4-6 hours of sunlight.

• The best time to view The Northern Lights is between November and March.

• Iceland is a short 4 to 4 1/2 hour, nonstop flight from Boston and less than 5 hours from New York and Baltimore. Icelandair also has regular flights from Orlando, Minneapolis and San Francisco.

• The average January temperature in Iceland is actually higher than those in New york.

• One of the top sports has an added flair in winter - swimming in a geothermally-heated outdoor pool in a blizzard!

• Iceland has a great cultural front as well including theaters, opera, symphony orchestra and a variety of musical events. There are also an international mix of art galleries and museums.

• Iceland's capital is Reykjavik (means SMOKEY BAY). It is the world's northernmost capital city. The best way to get to know the capital city is to take to the streets. The city center is remarkably compact and the efficient public bus system can quickly shuttle you around for sites a little farther away.

• Glaciers cover one-ninth of Iceland's land surface. Vatnajokull, at 3,300 square miles, is the largest glacier in Europe.

• Iceland's interior has magical moonlike landscapes. So much so NASA trained there before sending the Apollo to the moon in 1969!

• Be sure to take the elevator to the top of the imposing Hallgrimskirkja Church for an incredible view of Reykjavik, or explore the colorful neighborhoods of Thingholt and Vesturbaer.

• Iceland is known for having some of the world's freshest seafood and lamb. The Icelandic specialties include locally grown vegetables, game and ocean-fresh fish.

• Reykjavik is renowned as one of Europe's hottest nightspots, where the action in the friendly pubs and nightlife scene lasts right through the night.

• Reykajavik is one of the most gay friendly cities in all of Europe.

• Reykajavik boasts two large indoor shopping malls, Kringlan and Smaralind, as well as a pedestrian friendly shopping district in the city center, Laugavegur, a mile-long shopping street. The mall selection is diverse with designer labels, both American and European. Kringlan is located within walking distance of several of the city's main hotels. It is easily accessible by bus from the old city center and has ample free parking. Smaraland is in the town of Kopavogur, a short bus ride from the city center. It also has the city's largest movie complex (all movies are shown in their original language with subtitles in Icelandic).

• Icelanders have a great deal of affection for their atmospheric "old city center", which in addition to top-of-the-line stores, has a great number of excellent cafes, restaurants and bars. Starting at the top of Laugavegur (Reykjavik''s main shopping street, which is one mile long) and making your way westward, you will find a number of exclusive boutiques and fashion stores.

• Hafnarfjordur, a town down the road from Reykjavik, offers tourists offbeat attractions - including Viking feasts and even elf-spotting tours.

• Iceland's highest peak is 6,500 feet.

• Iceland has the largest glaciers in Europe. 11% of the country is covered by glaciers.

• Iceland's coastline is dotted with more than one hundred fjords.

• Iceland has over 20 active volcano's.

• Iceland has more than 10,000 waterfalls and countless hot springs.

• A large portion of Iceland is uninhabitable, with moss-covered rocks of ancient lava flows and tall treeless mountains, but these moonscapes are perfect for exploring this other-worldly looking place.

• The Icelanders still speak the language of the Vikings (Old Norse, now called Icelandic), however the majority of people also speak English.

• Iceland has a population of 300,000 and more than half live in the greater Reykjavik area.

• Some Icelandic "goodies" include Icelandic chocolate, licorice (or the popular chocolate-licorice combo!), Opal candies and snudur (frosting covered pastries). If you are visiting during the holidays be sure to pick up some jolaol (orange soda mixed with malt), some laufabraud, the fried flat bread of the season and when you're in town, don't forget to try a traditional hot dog with all the fixins' and some delicious soft ice cream.

• Coffee house culture is quite popular in Iceland. Most offer free wi-fi, free refills and a healthy supply of newspapers and magazines.

• There are over 170 restaurants in the greater Reykjavik area. Fruits and vegetables are grown organically in greenhouses and meat and dairy products are free of additives and growth hormones.

• The Icelandic nightlife needs to be seen to be believed. Locals dress to the nines - such classy wear is not a requirement for tourists - and head out in droves to the latest dance clubs, tiny music venues, and pubs.

• One of Iceland's top tourist attractions is The Blue Lagoon Geothermal Destination Spa.

• Iceland is a European island midway between North America and mainland Europe.

• Iceland's main airport, Keflavik International Airport, is 30 miles from Reykjavik.

• How should you dress? Dress much the way you would in New York City in the fall, winter and spring. In summer, carry a light, and preferably water-resistant, jacket. The weather can be extremely changeable. Always bring a bathing suit. Yes, a bathing suit! Icelanders' favorite pastime year-round is outdoor swimming in the countless geothermally-heated pools and lagoons, which are as warm as bathwater.

• What are the people like? Icelanders are descended from both the Vikings and the Celts, so while there are many blond, blue-eyed locals, there are also many with brown eyes and red or dark brown hair. Icelanders have a reputation as being a beautiful people. An Icelander has been crowned Miss World three times, the most of any country. The Icelanders are often reserved and stoic, sometimes even appearing shy at first. But they are proud of their country and very welcoming to visitors from all over the world.

• What is the currency? Iceland's currency is the krona (ISK). You can get money out of local ATMS or exchange money easily at the airport. Credit cards are accepted virtually everywhere.

• Will my cell phone work in Iceland? Most North American cell phones won't work, but you can rent phones in Iceland. To call home: 1) Dial the AT&T access number in Iceland; 00 800-222-55-288. 2) Then dial the phone number you're calling including area code 3) Wait for a prompt then enter your AT&T calling card number and 4-digit pin.

• Iceland's country code is +354. If you are calling Iceland from the United States, dial 011 to get an international line, then 354 and the 7-digit phone number.

GORGEOUS ICELAND PHOTOS

-Des